Lens holding frame

ABSTRACT

A lens holding frame for holding lenses, both in front of the projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device, the lens holding frame including a nose bridge, the HMD device including a nose pad arranged to support the nose bridge, and at least one correction lens. The lens holding frame is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape under a manual pressure to at least one transitional shape, and includes connecting elements arranged to connect in a reversible manner the HMD device to the lens holding frame being in a transitional shape and having its nose bridge supported by the nose pad of the HMD device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an HMD device (1) (Head Mounted Displaydevice). More precisely, this invention relates to a HMD device to whicha lens holding frame, having at least one correction lens, is reversiblyconnected. The invention also relates to the lens holding frame havingat least one correction lens.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,648 relates to an HMD device susceptible to be usedin combination with correction lenses, the HMD device comprising twoconnecting devices, which are magnets, i.e a permanent T-shaped magnetlocated on the frame, which may be connected with a correspondingU-shaped permanent magnet located on the glasses. This is aimed toobtain a stable connection, though easily releasable.

US2006/0203187 relates to a prescription lens insert to be attached tothe shield of an eyewear article, including a means for connecting thecentral bridge portion of the insert to a corresponding central nosearea of the shield, and a set of upper and lower arms extending outwardof the bridge portion and being bendable for adjusting the position andorientation of the lenses relative to the shield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, it is major concern that the correction lenses be fixed with anexact, precise and reproducible position with regard to the projectionoptics of the HMD device; ensuring the reproducibility of thepositioning of the lenses remains an issue. Moreover, the use ofmagnetic devices may not be wanted. Thus, it is a goal of this inventionto provide a lens holding frame which can be reversibly connected,through mechanical means, onto an HMD device. By reversibly is meantthat the lens holding frame may be put on and taken off as many times aswished, and may each time be positioned with a repeatable accuracy andadjustability with regard to the HMD projection optics.

This invention thus relates to a lens holding frame for holding lenses,both in front of the projection optics of an HMD device and in front ofthe eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device, the lens holding framecomprising a nose bridge, the HMD device comprising a nose pad arrangedto support the nose bridge, and at least one lens being a correctionlens, wherein the lens holding frame is arranged to be stretched out ofits original shape under a manual pressure to at least one transitionalshape, and wherein the lens holding frame further comprises connectingmeans arranged to connect in a reversible manner the HMD device to thelens holding frame being in a transitional shape and having its nosebridge supported by the nose pad of the HMD device.

According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is made of resilientmaterial, the frame holding two lenses, one of which at least being acorrection lens.

According to another embodiment, the lens holding frame is made ofresilient material having a tensile strength of 400 to 700 N/mm².

Preferably, the resilient material includes stainless steel.

According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is arranged to bestretched out of its original shape under manual pressuressimultaneously exerted on the opposite ends of the frame.

Advantageously, the connecting means include a central connecting meansand two lateral connecting means located at the opposite ends of theframe.

According to a specific embodiment, the HMD device includes a housingand a nose pad, and the connecting means include one central connectingmeans of the nose bridge of the lens holding frame onto the nose pad ofthe HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends ofthe lens frame beneath the HMD housing.

In a variation of the invention, the central connecting means is a humpin the nose bridge designed to lay down on the nose pad of the HMDdevice.

Preferably, the lateral connecting means are two lateral rods in theform of an S welded on each opposite end of the lens frame, andextending downwardly.

The invention also relates to a HMD device to which a lens holdingframe, as hereabove described, is reversibly connected so that the lensholding frame is both in front of the projection optics of the HMDdevice and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device,wherein at least one lens is a correction lens, and wherein the lensholding frame is connected under pressure on the HMD device in atransitional shape different from its original shape.

The lens holding frame is made of resilient material, preferably havinga tensile strength of 400 to 700 N/mm² and the frame holds two lenses,one of which at least being a correction lens. Advantageously, theresilient material includes stainless steel.

According to an embodiment, the HMD device includes a housing and a nosepad, and the connecting means include one central connecting means ofthe nose bridge of the lens frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device,and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens framebeneath the HMD housing. According to another embodiment, the HMD deviceincludes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include onecentral connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto thenose pad of the HMD device, which is a hump on the nose bridge of thelens frame, designed to fit in a groove carved in the nose pad of theHMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends of thelens frame beneath the HMD housing.

This invention also relates to a method for connecting a lens holdingframe onto a HMD device, both in front of the projection optics of anHMD device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMDdevice, wherein at least one lens is a correction lens, and wherein theframe includes or is made of resilient material and includes connectingmeans onto the HMD device, the method comprising:

-   -   simultaneously pressing the opposite ends of the lens holding        frame to put the lens holding frame in a transitional shape    -   placing the connecting means of the lens holding frame in a        position suitable for its connection with the HMD device    -   releasing the pressure onto the opposite ends of the lens        holding frame, so that the connecting means connect with the HMD        device.

According to an embodiment, the method of the invention comprises apreliminary step of connecting the nose pad to the HMD device. Accordingto another embodiment, placing the connecting means includes firsthaving the nose bridge laid down onto the nose pad, and second engagingthe lateral connecting means under the housing of the nose pad.

Although the following detailed description contains specific features,these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention butas merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the HMD device 1 of the invention, onwhich the lens holding frame 10 is adapted FIG. 2 is a front view of thelens holding frame 10.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the central portion of the HMD, andincludes a sectional view of the nose pad 6 and of the groove 8 carvedin the nose pad 6.

This invention thus relates to lenses mounted on a frame, hereinaftercalled the “lens holding frame”, the lens holding frame being releasablymountable on a HMD device, and to an HMD device suitable for having alens holding frame releasably mounted on it. Releasably mountable in themeaning of this invention means that the lens holding frame is madeattachable and detachable from the HMD device. According to theinvention, the connection or disconnection of the lens holding frame tothe HMD device can be done by the user manually, without tools, andwithout effort, by simply disengaging the connecting means, preferablyby pressing the opposite parts of the lens holding frame to disengagethe lateral connecting means from beneath the housing of the HMD device.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one lens held by the lensholding frame is a correction lens. By correction lenses is meant lensesor glasses which aim at correcting an eye deficiency of the user.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lens holding frame is made ofany suitable resilient material, which means material of any nature, aslong as it is resilient. By resilient in this invention, is meant thatthe frame has elastic properties, so that the opposite ends of the framemay be simultaneously tensed down, but tend to recover their initialposition. According to an embodiment, the resilient materialconstituting the lens holding frame is made of, or includes in itscomposition, stainless steel. According to a preferred embodiment, thelens holding frame is a resilient stainless steel wire comprising8-10.5% Nickel, 17-19% Chromium, 3-4% of Copper, less than 0.08% Carbon,less than 2% Manganese, less than 1% Silicon, and less than 0.045%Phosphorus. According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame accordingto the invention is arranged to be stretched out of its original shapeunder manual pressures simultaneously exerted on the opposite ends ofthe frame.

According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame is made of resilientmaterial having a tensile strength of 400 to 700 N/mm², more preferablyof 500 to 600 N/mm². According to an embodiment of the invention, theelongation capacity of the lens holding frame is of 30 to 50%,preferably of 35 to 45%.

The length of the lens holding frame is adapted to the housing of theHMD device. According to an embodiment, the total length of the lensholding frame is of 110 to 150 mm.

The width of the lens holding frame is adapted to the housing of the HMDdevice. According to an embodiment, the total width of the lens holdingframe is of 15 to 25 mm.

The thickness of the lens holding frame is adapted to the housing and tothe nose pad of the HMD device. According to an embodiment, thethickness is of 0.5 to 5 mm.

According to this invention, the lens holding frame comprises twolenses, one at least being a correction lens. The lenses may be made ofglass, plastics or any other suitable material. The lenses arepreferably fixed permanently to the lens holding frame.

According to the invention, the connecting means, which are the meansfor connecting the lens holding frame to the HMD device, include acentral connecting means and two lateral connecting means located at theopposite ends of the frame.

In this invention, the term connecting is meant as putting into contactan HMD device on one hand, and a lens holding frame put in a tensed orstretched position, by applying a mechanical pressure in the oppositeends of the frame, on the other hand in order to mechanically attach orconnect the lens holding frame onto the HMD device, in such a way thatthe lens holding frame securely remains on the HMD device during use,and is attachable and detachable.

According to an embodiment, the central connecting means is the nosebridge or the central part of the nose bridge or is within the nosebridge. According to an embodiment, the central portion of the nosebridge is slightly curved to form a hump, for a better fitting of thenose bridge on the HMD device. Preferably, the central connecting meansis a hump in the nose bridge designed to lay down on the nose pad of theHMD device. According to an embodiment, the lateral connecting means aretwo lateral rods in the form of an S, one rod being welded on eachopposite lateral end of the lens frame, and extending downwardly, sothat, when the user simultaneously urges vertically and thenhorizontally the opposite sides of the lens holding frame, each part ofthe S rods engage beneath the HMD device, and is retained there when theurge ceases by the spring effect of the resilient material.

According to an embodiment, the HMD device includes a housing and a nosepad, and the connecting means include one central connecting means ofthe nose bridge of the lens frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device,and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens framebeneath the HMD housing.

The lens holding frame may be moulded in a unitary piece. According toan embodiment, the lens holding frame is rimless. According to anotherembodiment, the lens holding frame includes half rims welded on eachside the nose bridge. According to still another embodiment, the lensholding frame includes one full rim including the nose bridge and twoparts extending from each side of the nose bridge, parts to which thelenses are attached.

In an embodiment, the lens holding frame lack temples.

The connecting means are such that the lens holding frame may beadjusted onto the HMD device in a secure, reproducible and releasableposition. According to an embodiment, when connected onto the HMDdevice, the lens holding frame may always held in the same predeterminedposition with regard to the HMD device, which helps preventingundesirable movement of the lens holding frame relative to the HMDdevice. According to this invention, the connecting means are capable ofcontinuously supporting the lenses held by the lens holding frame infront of the HMD device projection optics, in a proper mounting positionand in proper lens alignment of both HMD projection optics and lenses.An advantage of this invention is that the lens holding frame may bemounted or replaced quickly on the HMD device. This invention may thusprovide a secure retention and a stable connection of the lens holdingframe on the HMD device, during use of the HMD device.

The connecting means include surfaces of retention of the lens holdingframe onto the HMD device, and use the resiliency of the resilient lensholding frame material. The retention surfaces are the surfaces wherethe lens holding frame is retained onto the HMD device by friction andby the strength exerted by the resiliency of the lens holding framematerial. These surfaces are located respectively at the opposite endsof the lens holding frame and in the central part of the nose bridge oflens holding frame. Any suitable means may be adapted to the location ofthe retention surfaces in order to enhance friction.

Thanks to its resilient material, the lens holding frame is elasticallyflexible in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane. In the connectedposition, the lens holding frame behave like a spring between centralconnecting point(s) and lateral connecting point(s).

The invention also relates to an HMD device comprises a housing,temples, a nose pad and projection optics. The nose pad of the HMDdevice of the invention may be a separate part or alternatively, mouldedwith the housing of the HMD device.

In the embodiment where the nose pad is a separate part, it isattachable and removable from the HMD device; in this embodiment thenose pad is advantageously clipped on the HMD device. The lower surfaceof nose pad may have various shapes, adapted to the morphology of theuser. Thus, the user may choose a nose pad suitable for the morphologyof his/her nose. According to a preferred embodiment, the area of thenose pad which is engaged, preferably clipped, on the HMD device, isalways the same, whatever the shape of the part of the nose pad layingdown on the nose of the user is. According to another preferredembodiment, the nose pad always includes an upper surface on which thenose bridge of the lens holding frame may be laid down or engaged.

The HMD device of the invention is suitable for connection with a lensholding frame for holding lenses, both in front of the projection opticsof an HMD device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMDdevice, the lens holding frame comprising a nose bridge, the HMD devicecomprising a nose pad arranged to support the nose bridge, and at leastone lens being a correction lens, wherein the lens holding frame isarranged to be stretched out of its original shape under a manualpressure to at least one transitional shape, and wherein the lensholding frame further comprises connecting means arranged to connect ina reversible manner the HMD device to the lens holding frame being in atransitional shape and having its nose bridge supported by the nose padof the HMD device.

According to an embodiment, the nose pad projecting towards the face ofthe user of the HMD device has, on the upper surface of its projectedportion, a groove parallel to the housing of the HMD device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the HMD device according tothe invention may be provided such that the observer wearing it on hishead can only perceive the images (in particular, virtual images)generated by the HMD device. Alternatively, it may also be provided suchthat he will perceive the generated images as superimposed upon theenvironment or that he will perceive the generated images in one part ofhis visual range and the environment in another.

Further, the HMD device may be provided such that it either generatesimages for only one or for both of the observer's eyes, it beingpossible, in the latter case, to achieve a three-dimensionalrepresentation, in particular, by a slight difference between the imagesfor the right eye and for the left eye. According to an embodiment, theHMD device of the invention is suitable for an anaglyphic perception ofthe images. According to a first embodiment, the lens holding frame issuch that one lens is of red colour and the other lens is of blue-greencolor. According to a second embodiment, the HMD projection opticsinclude one lens is of red colour and the other lens is of blue-greencolor. According to a third embodiment, the HMD device includes a imagetreatment suitable for an anaglyphic perception of the images by theuser.

FIG. 1 shows an HMD device 1 to which a lens holding frame 10 isadapted, the HMD device 1 comprising a housing 2, temples 5, a nose pad6 and projection optics 9. The nose pad 6 projects toward the face ofthe user of the HMD device 1. According to the embodiment shown in FIG.1, the top 7 of the nose pad 6 has a groove 8 parallel to the housing ofthe HMD device 1.

When the user puts on the HMD device of FIG. 1, or wears it on his head,the temples 5 are supported by the ears and the nose pad is supported bythe nose, so that the HMD device is worn like ordinary glasses.

FIG. 2 shows the lens holding frame 10.

According to an embodiment, the lens holding frame has a generalrectangular form, with a total length of 110 to 120 mm, and the totalwidth of 30 to 40 mm. Preferably, each lens is of general rectangularform with a height of 17 to 18 mm and a width of 33.5 mm. The thicknessof the frame may be adapted to the thickness of the lenses. According toan embodiment, the thickness of the frame is of 1 to 5 mm, preferably1.75 mm. The lens holding frame may be curved. Preferably, the neutralradius of the curve is of about 90 to 110°. According to an embodiment,the neutral radius is of 104.6.

According to a particular embodiment, the lens holding frame comprises anose bridge 11 with a central hump 12, two lenses, at least one being acorrection lens. Preferably, the length of the nose bridge is of 25 to40 mm, preferably 30-38 mm.

Each lens may be mounted on a rim, welded on one side to the nosebridge, and on the other side to a connecting rod 14. The length of eachrim is adapted to the length of the lens.

The connecting rods 14 may extend downwardly, orthogonally with regardto the rims to which they are welded, and are preferably deviated fromthe verticality of about 10°.

Considering that the nose bridge 11 of the lens holding frame 10 is laidonto the nose pad 6 of the HMD device 1, the lens holding frame 10 maythen be urged down by the user, using the resiliency of the materialconstituting the lens holding frame 10, towards the bottom 4 of thehousing 2 of the HMD device 1.

The connection of the lens holding frame 10 to the HMD device 1 may beeffected by engaging the nose bridge 11 of the lens holding frame 10 inthe groove 8 located on the top 7 of the nose pad 6 and by flexingdownwardly the opposite ends of the lens holding frame and pushing themfor engagement of the lower part of the rods 7 beneath the HMD device(1).

The rods 7 are preferably in the form of an S, the upper part of the Sbeing welded to the rim 13, the central part of the S extendingdownwardly vertically, and the end of the S being essentially orthogonalof the central part of the S and extending toward the bottom 4 of thehousing 1. The rods 7 may form an angle of about 5 to 30° to thevertical plan of the lens holding frame. The length of the rods shall beadapted to the housing. In an embodiment, the length of the rods is of14 to 15 mm.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a nose pad, having a lens holding frame onit.

1. A lens holding frame for holding lenses, both in front of the projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device, the lens holding frame comprising a nose bridge, the HMD device comprising a nose pad arranged to support the nose bridge, and at least one lens being a correction lens, wherein the lens holding frame is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape under a manual pressure to at least one transitional shape, and wherein the lens holding frame further comprises connecting means arranged to connect in a reversible manner the HMD device to the lens holding frame being in a transitional shape and having its nose bridge supported by the nose pad of the HMD device.
 2. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the lens holding frame is made of resilient material the frame holding two lenses, one of which at least being a correction lens.
 3. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the lens holding frame is made of resilient material having a tensile strength of 400 to 700 N/mm².
 4. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the lens holding frame is made of resilient material, the resilient material including stainless steel.
 5. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is arranged to be stretched out of its original shape under manual pressures simultaneously exerted on the opposite ends of the frame.
 6. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means include a central connecting means and two lateral connecting means located at the opposite ends of the frame.
 7. The lens holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the HMD device includes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
 8. The lens holding frame according to claim 6, wherein the central connecting means is a hump in the nose bridge designed to lay down on the nose pad of the HMD device.
 9. The lens holding frame according to claim 8, wherein the lateral connecting means are two lateral rods in the form of an S welded on each opposite end of the lens holding frame, and extending downwardly.
 10. A HMD device to which a lens holding frame is reversibly connected so that the lens holding frame is both in front of the projection optics of the HMD device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device, wherein at least one lens is a correction lens, and wherein the lens holding frame is connected under pressure to the HMD device in a transitional shape different from its original shape.
 11. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the lens holding frame is made of resilient material, the frame holding two lenses, one of which at least being a correction lens.
 12. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the lens holding frame is made of resilient material having a tensile strength of 400 to 700 N/mm².
 13. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the lens holding frame is made of resilient material, the resilient material being stainless steel.
 14. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the nose pad is removable from the HMD device.
 15. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the HMD device includes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
 16. The HMD device according to claim 10, wherein the HMD device includes a housing and a nose pad, and the connecting means include one central connecting means of the nose bridge of the lens frame onto the nose pad of the HMD device, which is a hump on the nose bridge of the lens frame, designed to fit in a groove carved in the nose pad of the HMD device, and two lateral connecting means of the opposite ends of the lens frame beneath the HMD housing.
 17. Method to connect a lens holding frame onto a HMD device, both in front of the projection optics of an HMD device and in front of the eye portion of a wearer of the HMD device, wherein at least one lens is a correction lens, and wherein the frame is made of resilient material and includes connecting means onto the HMD device, the method comprising: simultaneously pressing the opposite ends of the lens holding frame to put the lens holding frame in a transitional shape placing the connecting means of the lens holding frame in a position suitable for its connection with the HMD device releasing the pressure onto the opposite ends of the lens holding frame, so that the connecting means connect with the HMD device.
 18. Method according to claim 17, comprising a preliminary step of connecting the nose pad to the HMD device. simultaneously pressing the opposite ends of the lens holding frame to put the lens holding frame in a transitional shape placing the connecting means of the lens holding frame in a position suitable for its connection with the HMD device releasing the pressure onto the opposite ends of the lens holding frame, so that the connecting means connect with the HMD device. 